Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Rebels Ass't Coach Moves On

Longtime Rebels assistant coach/assistant GM Topher Plonka has accepted a head-coaching position with the SISEC (Swiss International Sports & Education Centre) Selects midget program in Alberta. Plonka, a former Rebel player, had been with Castlegar in a coaching capacity for the past four seasons after playing college hockey in Missouri.

Speaking to him, he seems very excited about the opportunity to be a head coach for a program full of talented, international players. He'll be missed for sure around the Rebels dressing room this season, but I wish him nothing but the best in his new home.

Stay tuned to Mountain FM's sports coverage tomorrow morning for his thoughts. As always, tape will be made available here once it's run on the station.

Smokies Assistant Search: I hear the announcement about a new Trail Smoke Eaters assistant coach could be made sometime this week. At last check, the team had narrowed potential candidates into a short list. The position, of course, became available when former assistant Bill Birks assumed the head-coaching responsibilities earlier this off-season.